Oral Health in Children: The Early Years

Posted January 16, 2017.

The early years in a child’s oral health can be some of the most important of all. As their first set of teeth begin to grow in, their dentist will be able to see if everything is lining up as it should be for a beautiful smile that can last a lifetime.

A child will not be able to let you know if they are suffering from an oral ailment or perhaps teething for the first time, so always do daily checkups to discover any issues that will arise until the first tooth finally pushes its way to the surface.

Always make sure that your children are being fed healthy foods and served healthy drinks. Some foods and drinks can be broken down into harmful acids within our mouths. These harmful acids have the capability of eating through tooth enamel. If the child uses pacifiers, never dip them in sugary or sweet substances. Also, do not share eating utensils with the child as you can pass harmful bacteria onto them.

After your child’s first tooth has broken through the skin, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist at Anderson Pediatric Dental & Orthodontics, Inc. for an oral examination at our office in Roy, Utah.

After the first tooth has appeared, you should begin brushing the child’s mouth. Until they are three years old, you do not need to use more than a grain-sized amount of toothpaste for each cleaning. Always use dentist-recommended toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

For more information about your child’s oral health, or to schedule a visit with Dr. John Anderson, we can be reached at 801-774-5437. We look forward to making your child’s smile shine bright!